A bag that says “compostable” on the print is not certified. Certification is what makes the word mean something: an independent lab proves the material breaks down within a defined time, in a defined environment, leaving no toxic residue or heavy metals behind — and a certifying body puts its name and a certificate number on that claim. Here is how the four main standards differ, and how to check a supplier’s paperwork before you order.
What is Compostable Bag Certification?
Compostable bag certification is a conformity assessment, and it involves three separate parties that buyers routinely confuse. The standard is written by a standards body: ASTM International for ASTM D6400, CEN for EN 13432, and Standards Australia for AS 4736 and AS 5810. The testing is done by an accredited laboratory. The certification body (BPI in North America, TÜV AUSTRIA and DIN CERTCO in Europe, the ABA in Australia and New Zealand) reviews the test data and issues a numbered document confirming the product conforms.
That distinction matters when you are checking a supplier. A certification body cannot widen a standard to fit a product; it can only confirm or decline. The document it issues is specific to a named product, a named material grade, a maximum thickness, and an expiry date.
Key Certification Standards
To achieve compostable bag certification, products undergo comprehensive testing, including:
- Chemical composition: Heavy metals and other regulated elements, with limits set in the standard’s own annexes. BPI additionally screens for PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), a requirement some buyers now ask about by name and one worth confirming in writing before you place a first order.
- Biodegradability: Measuring the rate of organic matter conversion.
- Disintegration: Evaluating the product’s breakdown in composting conditions.
- Ecotoxicity: Confirming minimal environmental impact.
In practice, four schemes cover almost every compostable bag sold into a Western market. Here is what each one covers and which body issues it.
- ASTM D6400 — certified by BPI (North America). The US benchmark for plastics composted in municipal or industrial facilities. A certified product carries the BPI Compostable logo and a document number you can search in BPI’s database.
- EN 13432 — certified by DIN CERTCO and TÜV AUSTRIA (Europe). The European standard for industrial composting, and the most widely recognised mark in the EU. Two bodies issue it, so the logo tells you which database to check, not only which standard was met.
- OK compost and OK compost HOME — TÜV AUSTRIA. OK compost is TÜV’s EN 13432 certification; OK compost HOME applies the same test types at ambient temperature, with a longer timetable, for material that has to break down in a garden heap rather than a heated industrial windrow. HOME is the harder claim, and the thickness limits it allows are tighter.
- AS 4736 and AS 5810 — certified by the ABA (Australia and New Zealand). AS 4736 is industrial, AS 5810 is home. Both are administered by the Australasian Bioplastics Association.
The standards above are what manufacturers work to. The table below puts them side by side, including ISO 17088, which buyers in India will also meet.
The Main Compostability Standards at a Glance
| Standard or mark | Main markets | Composting environment | What it proves |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASTM D6400 | United States | Industrial | The product disintegrates and biodegrades in a commercial composting facility within the test window, without leaving toxic residue |
| BPI mark | United States, Canada | Industrial | Third-party verified compliance with ASTM D6400 — the mark most US composters and municipalities accept |
| EN 13432 | Europe | Industrial | The European standard for industrial compostability; the baseline many EU packaging rules refer to |
| OK compost HOME (TÜV AUSTRIA) | Europe | Home | Degradation at ambient temperature in a backyard compost heap, without industrial heat |
| AS 4736 / AS 5810 | Australia | Industrial / Home | The Australian standards for commercially and home compostable plastics, respectively |
| ISO 17088 | India, international | Industrial | An international specification closely aligned with EN 13432 and ASTM D6400. India’s CPCB references it for compostable plastic products |
From the table above, two points become clear. First, BPI is not a separate standard; it is a certification program built on ASTM D6400, which is why the two names usually appear together. Second, home composting is the harder test: industrial facilities run at high temperatures a backyard heap never reaches, so a product certified for home use makes the stronger claim of the two.
Over 50 certificates across these schemes are listed on our certifications page, each with its document number, covered products, and expiry date.
What are the Benefits of Compostability Certification?
- Environmental Sustainability: Certified compostable bags are designed to decompose in compost settings, transforming into non-toxic organic matter. Compared with conventional plastic bags, this returns the material to the soil as organic matter instead of leaving a residue that outlives the product by centuries.
- Reduction in Plastic Waste: By decomposing effectively, compostable materials do not contribute to the long-term accumulation of plastic waste, helping mitigate the global plastic pollution crisis.
- Consumer Confidence: Certification serves as a crucial safeguard, assuring consumers that the products they choose align with their sustainability values. By clearly displaying certification logos, codes, and detailed product information, manufacturers can empower consumers to make informed decisions.
- Market Appeal: For businesses, having certified compostable packaging enhances brand image and competitiveness in a market increasingly driven by sustainability. By demonstrating a commitment to environmental responsibility, companies can attract eco-conscious consumers, build customer loyalty, and differentiate themselves from competitors.
- Encourage Sustainable Practices: By setting rigorous standards for compostability, these certifications push industries to find and implement eco-friendly alternatives to traditional materials. This fosters a culture of sustainability, leading to the development of new, innovative products and processes that benefit both the environment and the economy.
How to Identify Certified Compostable Bags?
For purchasers who want to make a sustainable choice, identifying certified compostable bags is crucial. The following provides a guide on how to distinguish these compostable packaging options from the range available.
Look for the Right Labels
- Certification Logos: Reliable compostable bags will display logos from recognized certification bodies such as BPI (Biodegradable Products Institute) or TÜV AUSTRIA.
- Document numbers, not just logos. AS 4736 and EN 13432 are the names of standards, not proof that a specific product is certified to them — a supplier can print either name on a box without holding a certificate. What proves it is the certificate itself: a document number, an expiry date, and a defined product range, all searchable in the certifier’s public database. A logo without a document number is decoration. You can check ours on our certifications page.
Understand the Terminology
- Certified Compostable: This term signifies that the product has met specific environmental standards. Beware of misleading terms like “biodegradable” or “eco-friendly” without clear certifications.
Inspect the Details
- Logo Clarity: Authentic certification logos are clear and consistent. Be wary of blurry or inconsistent logos, which could indicate a counterfeit.
- Manufacturer Information: Reputable manufacturers will openly provide details about their certifications and compliance standards on packaging or their website.
Verify the Certifier
- Certification Body Credibility: Ensure the certification body is trustworthy and has a strong reputation for upholding rigorous standards.
By following these steps, you can confidently choose compostable bags that truly benefit the environment.
Responsibilities of Manufacturers in Producing Certified Compostable Bags
As a producer of compostable bags, we have a responsibility to continuously strive to contribute to sustainable development.
By integrating innovative technologies into our production processes, we aim to minimize waste, conserve energy, and reduce our overall environmental footprint. We also design for organic recycling rather than mechanical recycling. Compostable film does not belong in the plastics stream: it contaminates the recyclate, and most materials recovery facilities (MRFs) will pull it out and send it to landfill.
The end-of-life route is therefore designed in from the start. Grade, thickness, and print coverage are all chosen so the finished bag remains within a certificate’s scope, and the disposal instruction printed on the bag tells the buyer which stream it goes into.
Ultimately, our goal is to contribute to a healthier planet by offering sustainable packaging solutions that not only meet consumer needs but also protect our natural resources for future generations.
How to Verify a Supplier’s Compostable Certificate Before You Place an Order
A logo on a website is not proof. If you are adding compostable packaging to your catalog or placing a first order, verifying the certificate takes about ten minutes and saves you from a compliance problem later. Here is the process we recommend, and it is the same one our own buyers use.
First, ask for the certificate document rather than the logo. Request the actual PDF issued by the certification body; it lists the document number, the holder company, the covered product range, and the expiry date. A logo alone can be copied from anyone’s website.
Second, check that the certificate is current. Every compostability certificate has an expiry date, and a claim is no longer covered once it has passed, so ask the supplier for the renewed version before you proceed.
Third, look the document number up in the certifier’s public database. BPI, TÜV AUSTRIA and DIN CERTCO all run free, searchable databases of the certificates they have issued. Enter the number, confirm the holder matches the supplier, and check that the listed products are the ones you are actually buying.
Finally, confirm the certificate covers your specific product. A certificate belongs to defined products (material, thickness, and size range), not to a company as a whole: a supplier can hold a valid certificate for one film while being uncertified for another. Match your SKU against the covered range on the document.
To make that check easier, our certifications page lists every certificate we hold with its document number, covered products, and expiry date. If your product is not covered, ask the supplier to confirm it in writing before you order.
Conclusion
Compostable bag certification is more than a label. It is a document with a number, an expiry date, and a stated scope, and it is the only part of a sustainability claim a buyer can check without taking the supplier’s word for it. That is what makes it useful for building consumer trust and for encouraging businesses to take part in responsible sourcing practices.
About ShinHigh
ShinHigh is the manufacturer behind this guide. The product and certificate information below is here so you can check coverage before you order.
Our compostable bags are made from resins we compound ourselves — PBAT and PLA, the two common biodegradable base polymers, with corn starch — and they are consumed by microorganisms in a composting environment: an industrial facility running at high temperatures, or a home compost heap given enough time. That condition is the whole point. Compostability is not a claim that a bag disappears if it is dropped in a field; it is a claim about a defined process, a defined timeframe, and a defined residue. Browse our full compostable bag range.
We offer a wide range of products: modified resins, masterbatches, shopping bags, trash bags, pet waste bags, mailing bags, produce bags, garment bags, gloves, aprons, zipper bags, plastic straws, kraft paper bags, etc.
Coverage is per product, not blanket. Across our resin grades and finished bags, we hold over 50 certificates — BPI (ASTM D6400), TÜV AUSTRIA (OK compost, OK compost HOME), DIN CERTCO (EN 13432) and ABA (AS 4736, AS 5810) — each carrying a document number and a stated thickness limit. Check the certificate for the grade and gauge you are buying before you order on our certifications page.
ShinHigh Bio integrates R&D, resin compounding, and bag manufacturing in one operation, so the resin grade, the gauge, and the certificate scope are controlled together.
